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8 31 Facts You Didn’t Know About ‘X’ Mas

31 Facts You Didn't Know

About ‘X’mas

By ‘X’ Chronicles Staff

Tis the season to be...well informed. We all love
Christmas, but how much do any of us actually
know about why Christmas is the way it is?
Here are 31 facts about Christmas trees, Santa
Claus, and Rudolph that you (probably) didn’t
know. Smarten up!

1. Christmas supposedly marks the birth
of Jesus Christ on December 25. But there is no
mention of December 25 in the Bible and most
historians actually believe he was born in the
spring.
2. December 25 was probably chosen
because it coincided with the ancient pagan
festival Saturnalia, which celebrated the
agricultural god Saturn with partying,
gambling, and gift-giving.
3. Many of the popular Christmas
traditions today found their roots in Saturnalia: Nicholas dropped a bag of gold down the man’s as: Flossie, Glossie, Racer, Pacer, Scratcher,
Branches from evergreen trees were used during chimney so that his oldest daughter would be Feckless, Ready, Steady, and Fireball (no
winter solstice as a reminder of the green plants able to get married, and the bag fell into a relation to the whiskey).
that would grow in spring when the sun gods stocking that was drying by the fire. 22. The first batch of eggnog in America
grew strong. 12. One of the reasons we leave milk was crafted at Captain John Smith’s Jameston
4. These evergreen branches became the and cookies for Santa is because Dutch kids settlement in 1607, and the name eggnog comes
foundation of our Christmas tree. Germans are would leave food and drink for St. Nicholas on from the word “grog,” which refers to any drink
thought to be the first to bring “Christmas trees” his feast day. made with rum.
into their homes at the holidays and decorate 13. And we leave carrots for Santa 23. “Silent Night” is the most recorded
them with cookies and lights. Claus’ reindeer because, in Norse mythology, Christmas song in history, with over 733
5. The Christmas tree made its way to people left hay and treats for Odin’s eight- different versions copyrighted since 1978.
America in the 1830s but wasn’t popular until legged horse Sleipnir “in hopes the god would 24. Legend has it that “Silent Night” was
1846, after Germany’s Prince Albert brought it stop by their home during his Yule hunting written by a Father Joseph Mohr in Austria, who
to England when he married Queen Victoria. adventures.” Dutch children adopted this was determined to have music at his Christmas
The two were sketched in front of a Christmas tradition too, and would treats for St. Nick’s service after his organ broke. In reality, a priest
tree and the tradition instantly became popular. horse. wrote it while stationed at a pilgrim church in
Royal fever was real even back then. 14. The look of Santa Claus we have Austria.
6. The well-known reason we give today was created at an 1804 meeting of the 25. Meanwhile, “White Christmas” is
presents at Christmas is to symbolize the gifts New York Historical Society, where member the best-selling song of all time.
given to baby Jesus by the three wise men. But John Pintard handed out wooden cutouts of jolly 26. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
it may also stem from the Saturnalia tradition old St. Nick in front of stockings filled with actually has a truly depressing back-story:
that required revelers to offer up rituals to the toys. songwriter James "Haven" Gillespie was broke,
gods. 15. Though Santa Claus has worn blue jobless, and his brother had just died when he
7. Because of its roots in pagan festivals, and white and green in the past, his traditional was asked to write a Christmas song. He was
Christmas was not immediately accepted by the red suit came from a 1930s ad by Coca Cola. originally too overcome with grief, but
religious. In fact, from 1659 to 1681, it was 16. And the image of him Santa Claus eventually found inspiration in his brother’s
illegal to celebrate Christmas in Boston. You flying in a sleigh started in 1819...and was death and the Christmas memories they had
were fined if you were caught celebrating. dreamt up by the same author who created the together.
8. Santa Claus comes from St. Nicholas, Headless Horseman, Washington Irving. 27. The original lyrics to “Hark! The
a Christian bishop living in (what is now) 17. Rudolph was actually conceived by Herald Angel Sings” were “Hark! How the
Turkey in the fourth century AD. St. Nicholas a department store, Montgomery Ward, as a Welkin rings!” Welkin is an old, English term
had inherited a great deal of wealth and was marketing gimmick to get kids to buy holiday for Heaven. A preacher later tweaked the lyric.
known for giving it away to help the needy. coloring books. 28. “Jingle Bells” was originally
When sainted, he became the protector of 18. Rudolph almost didn’t have a red supposed to be a Thanksgiving song.
children. nose either: At the time, a red nose was a sign of 29. Boston church leaders tried to have
9. After his death, the legend of St. chronic alcoholism and Montgomery Ward the song “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”
Nicholas spread. St. Nick’s name became Sint- thought he would look like a drunkard. banned in the 1950s because they thought it
Nicolaas in Dutch, or Sinter Klaas for short. 19. Rudolph was almost named Rollo or “promoted physical intimacy.” Singer Jimmy
Which is only a hop, skip, and jump to Santa Reginald. Reginald the Red-Nosed Reindeer Boyd had to fly to Boston and explain to them
Claus. doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. why it wasn’t obscene.
10. Santa Claus delivering presents 20. The poem that introduced us to the 30. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for
comes from Holland’s celebration of St. other eight reindeer, “A Visit From St. Christmas Is You” is considered to be the most
Nicholas’ feast day on December 6. Children Nicholas,” actually named dropped Dasher, popular Christmas song now. In the music video,
would leave shoes out the night before and, in Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Duner Santa is played by Mariah’s then-husband,
the morning, would find little gifts that St. and Blixem. (Which, like Donner and Blitzen, Tommy Mottola.
Nicholas would leave them. come from the German words for thunder and 31. And the highest-grossing Christmas
11. And stockings come from this story: lightning.) movie of all time is How the Grinch Stole
A poor man with three daughters couldn’t afford 21. Over the years, other reindeer have Christmas. The Jim Carrey version. Who knew?
the dowry to have them married. One night, St. been name checked on Santa’s sleigh team, such